Assigning Editor/Reporter, Times of San Diego

Newswell • San Diego, CA

5d • $56,887 - $60,403 • Hybrid

About The Position

The assigning editor/reporter is a dynamic, versatile and digitally savvy journalist who will join the Times of San Diego team. Times of San Diego is a nonprofit news organization based in San Diego, California. This hybrid role will involve working closely with newsroom editors to identify, prioritize, and assign high-impact stories that align with our editorial goals, while also actively contributing as a reporter. We need a team player invested in the future of local news — one who understands the importance of community news and embraces analytical and digital tools to better serve audiences across multiple platforms, including print. Times of San Diego launched in 2014, joined NEWSWELL in 2024 and joined forces with the San Diego Community Newspaper Group earlier this year. NEWSWELL helps newsrooms become nonprofit and for community. It provides strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and wrap-around operations so local journalists can focus on local news, and newsrooms can best serve their communities. NEWSWELL partners with Arizona State University, the nation’s most innovative 10 years in a row, to offer game-changing ideas, tools and research. NEWSWELL transforms local news to help communities and democracy thrive. The salary range for this role is $56,887 to $60,403

Requirements

• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• A demonstrated passion for local journalism and a deep commitment to serving the community.
• Strong reporting and writing abilities, with sharp news judgment, attention to detail and a focus on accuracy.
• Proficiency in Associated Press style and a strong command of grammar.
• Familiarity with editorial planning, project management and budgeting tools, such as Airtable and Excel.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism or related field related or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least one to two years of experience in a newsroom, including reporting and/or assigning stories.
• Experience managing print calendars to ensure timely coverage that fills set space for weekly or semi-weekly newspapers.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of San Diego communities and local issues are a plus.
• Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor local news developments, social media, and community conversations to surface timely and relevant story ideas.
• Assign stories to staff reporters, interns, and freelancers, providing feedback and establishing deadlines.
• Help manage and maintain editorial calendars to support planning, coordination and timely publication of content for print, digital and social platforms.
• Assess pitches from freelancers and contributors.
• Use audience analytics tools to inform editorial planning, improve story performance, and assess freelance and contributor content.
• Work with editors to maintain and regularly update the freelance budget by tracking assignments, rates and total spending.
• Follow news topics to identify trends, recognize areas ripe for follow-up in order to turn those insights into proactive assignments that separate our content from our competitors.
• Support the editorial team in adapting stories and formats for digital, print and social platforms.
• Report and write stories as needed, including breaking news.
• Ensure all content is fact checked and meets ethical journalism standards.
• Create an inclusive work environment that values diversity, fosters belonging, empowers others and nourishes a culture that pushes for and celebrates wins.
• Foster a culture of innovation by harnessing fresh ideas and experimenting with new tools, technologies and techniques that enhance digital and social media storytelling.
• Drive audience engagement through social media, SEO and immersive reporting experiences.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule. We work from home two days a week!
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees